Remnant Viking

Chapter 19: Trust Issues

Preparations were completed by nightfall. The transports have been filled with supplies and one was given over to our unexpected guests. The grunts of the 2nd Regiment have signed up with us on this op and even the dozen or so guards that patrol our hangar also joined us. Lieutenant Broadside has volunteered a company of a hundred men and women. How he got Ironwood to let him join us is a story I have to get out of him later. If I recall correctly, these are the same grunts that joined us during the cleanup of Securia. I'm standing on top of Hati to address my force. Feels weird still. I miss my old chief. Best not to let him down.

Y/N: "Alright Vikings and Grunts! Listen up and listen damn good! Our mission is to head to Vacuo and take care of their Grimm problems cause they can't handle it! We got no intel on what's going down. Information is Liquid. We will get it solid once we reach that forsaken desert. Regardless, our initial mission to set up our base of operations. These transports are our lifelines! NO ONE GETS NEAR THEM IF THEY DIDN'T COME WITH US! Local hunter team wants in? SHOOT THEM! Local garrison force wants to do an inspection? THEY CAN INSPECT OUR BULLETS! We protect our transports and our maintenance crews! We will deal with Grimm once we get the lay of the land! All Pilots and Soldiers! TIME TO HEAD OUT!"

They cheered and made for either their Vikings or the transports. I'm still having a feeling of dread for this op. Even the reassuring sounds of Hati coming to life does little for me.

-----------------A long boring flight later--------------------

Steel Lead: "Chief. I'm not liking this."

Crimson: "Likewise. All Vikings keep your head on the swivel and your guns ready."

Vikings: "Yes Chief!"

The area is clear of anything. All we see is a vast desert that surrounds a city in a dry up oasis. Not a Grimm in sight or even on the sensors. Comm traffic is light, and no one is answering our calls. We are in a hold pattern just a few miles away from the City of Vacuo. 

Hellion Lead: "Chief. This mission seems pointless if there's no bloody Grimm."

 Blizzard Lead: "What you talking about? The city is Clearly besieged by millions of the flaks."

Inferno Lead: "What we are doing here Chief?"

Crimson: "This is Atlas Relief Force. Anyone getting our calls? If no one answers, then we are leaving the airspace and returning home."

???: "This is Vacuo Air Traffic. We got your calls and the higher ups have just given permission to let you land. Proceed to airstrip."

Crimson: "All Vikings and Transports. They finally answered the damn phone. We are to land on the airstrip apparently. Remember! Protect the Transports and our Crews! Whatever hangars they give us is ours! NO ONE GETS IN IF THEY DIDN"T COME WITH US! Confirm."

Vikings: "YES CHIEF!"

Broadside: "Yes sir! My boys and girls will make our new home safe."

Crimson: "All units proceed to airstrip. Vikings clear the landing zones."

As we made our flight, this allowed me to see this city under siege. It's what I would expect from a city in such a desolate area. Barren. It almost seems ancient, like it was preserved by the sands. Like I'm looking at how these people's ancient ancestors once lived in. All the buildings are bleached white, probably from the constant sand or dust storms that most likely plague the area. Least we got here during the night. Don't have to deal with the heat yet. 

A large pyramid like building sits right in the center of the city. I guess this is the local government/academy of the place. Gives off an ominous vibe to me. Maybe we should just bail on this mission. But orders are orders. I'll shoot Ironwood later if need be.